Part 4 (1/2)

Nor will this fire the G.o.ds prepare To punish scorn, that cruel Fair, Though now from flames exempted, spare; 15

But as together both shall die, Both burnt alike in flames shall lie, She in thy heart,[18:3] thou in her eye.

THE MAGNET.

Ask the empress of the night How the Hand which guides her sphere, Constant in unconstant light, Taught the waves her yoke to bear, And did thus by loving force 5 Curb or tame the rude sea's course.

Ask the female palm how she First did woo her husband's love; And the magnet, ask how he[19:1]

Doth th' obsequious iron move; 10 Waters, plants, and stones know this: That they love; not what Love is.

Be not thou[19:2] less kind than these, Or from Love exempt alone!

Let us twine like amorous trees, 15 And like rivers melt in one.

Or, if thou more cruel prove, Learn of steel and stones to love.

ON A VIOLET IN HER BREAST.

See how this violet, which before Hung sullenly her drooping head, As angry at the ground that bore The purple treasure which she spread, Doth smilingly erected grow, 5 Transplanted to those hills of snow.

And whilst the pillows of thy breast Do her reclining head sustain, She swells with pride to be so blest, And doth all other flowers disdain; 10 Yet weeps that dew which kissed her last, To see her odours so surpa.s.s'd.

Poor flower! how far deceiv'd thou wert, To think the riches of the morn Or all the sweets she can impart. 15 Could these or sweeten or adorn, Since thou from them dost borrow scent, And they to thee lend ornament!

SONG.

Foolish Lover, go and seek For the damask of the rose, And the lilies white dispose To adorn thy mistress' cheek;

Steal some star out of the sky, 5 Rob the phoenix, and the east Of her wealthy sweets divest, To enrich her breath or eye!

We thy borrow'd pride despise: For this wine to which we are 10 Votaries, is richer far Than her cheek, or breath, or eyes.

And should that coy fair one view These diviner beauties, she In this flame would rival thee, 15 And be taught to love thee too.

Come, then, break thy wanton chain, That when this brisk wine hath spread On thy paler cheek a red, Thou, like us, may'st Love disdain. 20

Love, thy power must yield to wine!

And whilst thus ourselves we arm, Boldly we defy thy charm: For these flames extinguish[20:1] thine.

THE PARTING.

I go, dear Saint, away, s.n.a.t.c.h'd from thy arms By far less pleasing charms, Than those I did[21:1] obey; But if hereafter thou shalt know 5 That grief hath kill'd me, come,[21:2]

And on my tomb Drop, drop a tear or two; Break with thy sighs the silence of my sleep, And I shall smile in death to see thee weep. 10

Thy tears may have the power To reinspire My ashes with new fire, Or change me to some flower, Which, planted 'twixt thy b.r.e.a.s.t.s, shall grow: 15 Veil'd in this shape, I will Dwell with thee still, Court, kiss, enjoy thee too: Securely we'll contemn[21:3] all envious force, And thus united be by death's divorce. 20

COUNSEL.